Arunachalam Temple: South India’s Must-visit Legendary Pilgrimage Destination For Spiritual Rejuvenation

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Arunachalam Temple in Tiruvannamalai is an eminent sacred shrine on majestic Arunachala Hill in Tamil Nadu. Regarded as one of the oldest temples of South India, this holy shrine attracts visitors seeking to explore the spiritual richness embodied in its rich history and architecture. Rooted in profound spiritual and symbolic importance, Arunachalam temple is one of the sacred sites of Pancha Bhoota Stalam, which signifies elements of fire. The temple features artistic Dravidian carvings narrating tales of devotion, faith, and cultural richness.

Arunachalam Temple History

Image Source: Shutterstock

According to the Tamil scriptures, the temple originated around the 7th century and is believed to be where Lord Shiva summoned a tall column of fire known as Arunachal Aksha Lingam. It is a divine place to attain moksha and connect with your inner self.

The present structure was rebuilt by the Chola dynasty, which ruled in the 9th century. The scriptures mention gifts and contributions to the temple, such as land, cows, oil, etc. Many other dynasties, like the Vijanaynagr and Hoysalas, renovated and contributed to the betterment of the temple.

Must Read: Best Tourist Places in TamilNadu

Arunachalam Temple Architecture

Image Source: Shutterstock

Spread over 25 acres, the Arunachalam Temple is a magnificent symbol of Dravidian architecture. The temple has four intricately designed towers or gopurams. The towers are located in all four directions: Thirumanjana Gopuram, Ammani Amman Gopuram, Pei Gopuram and the Rajagopuram. The tallest of these four is the Rajagopuram, standing 217 feet high.

The 1000-pillared Arunagirinathar Mandapam was constructed under Krishnadevarayar, the ruler of the Vijayanagara dynasty. Each pillar is carved with a mythological creature called “Yali, ” which has an elephant’s head and a lion’s body. An underground chamber contains the Shiva lingam, and several trishuls safeguard the Shivling.

Showcasing the imminent work of art of the Vijayanagara dynasty are the regally designed halls famously known as mandapans within the Arunachalam Temple. Some of the notable halls are:

• Deepa Darshanam Mandapam-Hall of Lights
• Kalyana Mandapam-Marriage Hal
• Vasantha Mandapam-Hall of Spring

Giri Pradakshina: The Sacred Circumambulation

Image Source: Shutterstock

The process of circumambulating on the Arunachala Hill is known as Giri Pradakshina. Devotees cover this distance of 14 km barefoot to seek blessings from Lord Shiva. Hindu mythology believes that each step forward increases happiness in this world, two steps in heaven and three steps would increase happiness in the Satyalok. While covering this distance, it is better to engage yourself in the words and thoughts of God. One can be silent or meditate or take the name of God as they put forward every step.

The ideal time to start the journey would be around 4 AM, 4 PM or 10 PM to escape the effect of heat. It would take around 3 to 4 hours depending on your speed. On your way, you would encounter two ways: the outer pathway and the inner pathway. The inner pathways covered with forest have been closed for security reasons for some time now. The outer pathway is most commonly used, and you would see temples, Asta lingam and tirthas on the way. On your way up, you would see a 150-year-old hermit deep in his meditation in the Hanuman Temple.

Festivals at Temple

Image Source: Shutterstock

Arunchalam temple is a sacred temple for the Hindus and millions of followers come here to seek blessings. Some auspicious rituals are celebrated weekly or monthly as well. Here are the important days and festivals celebrated in the Arunachalam Temple:

• Karthigai Deepam is a festival of lights celebrated with elaborate details and love. It is celebrated on the full moon day in Karthigai around November- December. A huge lamp is lit at the top of the Arunachala hill which can be seen from far and wide. It symbolises the victory of good over evil and honouring Lord Shiva.
• Mahashivratri is an auspicious festival celebrating the glory of Lord Shiva. It falls in February and March and the devotees meditate and pray to Lord Shiva seeking salvation.
• Pradosham is traditionally celebrated bi-weekly (on the 13th day) of every lunar month. The word Pradosham means the removal of sins. Social rituals are performed at the Arunachalam Temple, where devotees repent for their sins and seek the blessings of Lord Shiva.

Suggested Read: Temples In South India

Darshan Timings

Image Source: Shutterstock

Arunachalam Temple opens as easily as 5:30 AM. The temple remains open from 5:30 AM till noon and 4:30 PM to 9 PM. Throughout the day, six poojas are done each having its significance. The last puja is held at 9 PM after which the temple closes. It is essential to know the Arunachalam Temple timings when planning your visit. Here is a detailed list of the specific puja timings:

The temple is heavily crowded on weekends, so it may take around 6 hours to complete the darshan due to long queues. The best time to visit Arunachalam temple is on weekdays or in the early hours of weekends.

What Should You Wear on Your Visit to the Temple?

Image Source: Shutterstock

• Wear decent clothes and avoid revealing and body-fitting clothes. It is essential to be respectful of the culture.
• Men may wear a dhoti with a kurta. A shirt or T-shirt with trousers is also allowed.
• Women can opt for Indian wear. They cannot wear Western clothes like skirts, sleeveless tops, and short dresses.

Visitors not in the proper outfits are denied entry into the temple. The place is of immense religious importance, so it is essential to abide by the rules and respect the people’s sentiments.

Best Time to Visit

Image Source: Shutterstock

Sinter is the best season to visit Arunachalam Temple. The temperature from November to February is around 19 degrees Celsius, best suited for completing the Giri Pradakshina. The summer months are hot and dry, with temperatures as high as 41 degrees Celsius. The monsoon season brings heavy rainfall, which makes it difficult to complete the rituals in the temple.

Suggested Read: Places To Visit In South India In August

How to Reach

Image Source: Shutterstock
By Flight:

The nearest airport is Puducherry Airport, which is located at a distance of 87 km. However, it is not well connected to the major cities of India. You can opt for Chennai International Airport which is 172 km away from the city. You can opt for a cab or a taxi to cover the remaining distance.

By Train:

Tiruvannamalai has a well-developed railway station that is well-connected to all the major cities in the south. The nearest railway station is Tiruvannamalai railway station, which is just 4.2 km away from the temple. Hence, travellers visiting by train would not face much hassle.

By Road:

Tiruvannamalai is well connected to various cities like Bangalore, Mangalore, Puducherry, Chennai and many others. Several state-run and private buses are also available from Chennai. Here is a detailed list of the cities and their on-road distance from Tiruvannamalai:

Further Read: Offbeat Places In South India

Arunachalam Temple is a sanctuary of timeless devotion and heritage. Visiting the temple will give you a profound sense of enlightenment and race. If this guide motivates you to plan a trip, here are some best plans for a trip to Tiruvannamalai, Visit the Arunachalam Temple and experience the spiritual energy of the place.

For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.

Cover Image Source: Shutterstock

Frequently Asked Questions About Arunachalam Temple

People Also Read:

Temples To Visit Once in Your Lifetime Temples In India Temples In Ernakulam